Course Overview

In today’s fast-paced travel industry, accuracy in pricing, booking, and ticketing is essential for delivering efficient customer service and maintaining operational excellence. With constantly changing fare structures, airline regulations, and reservation requirements, travel professionals must possess strong technical knowledge and practical system skills to perform effectively.

The Global Distribution Systems: Fares and Ticketing Programme by Transformentors Academy provides participants with comprehensive training in GDS operations, fare construction, pricing methodologies, and ticketing procedures. Through practical learning and industry-focused exercises, participants will develop the skills required to manage reservations, interpret fare rules, create Passenger Name Records (PNRs), and process ticketing transactions accurately.

The programme also explores airline fare systems, mileage calculations, advanced ticketing scenarios, and booking management techniques. By the end of the programme, participants will be equipped to handle fare and ticketing processes confidently while ensuring compliance with airline policies and industry standards.

Agenda

Day — 1 Understanding Global Distribution Systems (GDS)

• Understanding Global Distribution Systems and their role in travel.
• Exploring how GDS platforms support airlines and travel agencies.
• Examining major GDS platforms and their features.
• Understanding key industry terms, codes, and concepts.
• Using core GDS functions for fare searches and bookings.
• Practical Exercise: Navigating a mock GDS environment.

Day — 2 Fare Construction: Components and Principles

• Understanding the components of airline fares: Base Fare, Taxes, Fees, and Surcharges.
• Interpreting fare basis codes and fare restrictions.
• Exploring fare families and fare bucket structures.
• Understanding the impact of fare classes on pricing and availability.
• Applying fare rules and ticket restrictions correctly.
• Case Study: Comparing airline fare structures on the same route.

Day — 3 Fare Calculation and GDS Pricing Techniques

• Applying fare construction principles for one-way, round-trip, and multi-city journeys.
• Understanding fare and availability displays within GDS platforms.
• Using fare search techniques to identify optimal pricing options.
• Calculating and applying mileage-based fares.
• Utilizing GDS pricing commands for fare quotation and validation.
• Computing taxes, fees, and carrier-imposed surcharges.
• Identifying discounts, promotional fares, and negotiated rates.
• Practical Exercise: Calculating fares for single-sector, return, and multi-city itineraries.

Day — 4 Ticketing Procedures and Fare Management

• Understanding the steps involved in ticket issuance.
• Comparing ticket types, endorsements, and restrictions.
• Understanding Ticketing Time Limits (TTL) and booking control.
• Managing Passenger Name Records (PNRs) effectively.
• Understanding the use of Miscellaneous Charge Orders (MCOs) and vouchers.
• Case Study: Completing a booking and ticket issuance in a simulated GDS environment.

Day — 5 Advanced GDS Applications and Special Handling

• Managing group and corporate travel bookings.
• Handling Special Service Requests (SSR) and service codes.
• Processing ticket reissues, exchanges, and cancellations.
• Applying airline-specific fare rules and procedures.
• Generating and interpreting GDS reports for quality control.
• Practical Exercise: Processing a ticket reissue with fare recalculation.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this programme, participants will be able to:

• Navigate GDS platforms for bookings and fare management.
• Interpret airline fares, taxes, fees, and surcharges.
• Apply fare construction techniques for different journey types.
• Analyse fare displays using mileage-based pricing methods.
• Execute ticket issuance, PNR management, and ticketing procedures.
• Apply fare rules for reissues, exchanges, and cancellations.
• Manage group bookings, business travel, and special service requests.

Who Should Attend

This programme is ideal for:

• Travel Agents and Ticketing Officers.
• Airline Reservation and Customer Service Staff.
• Corporate Travel Coordinators.
• Tour Operators and Travel Consultants.
• Hospitality Professionals managing travel arrangements.